Interactive
US – Pennsylvania posts record figures as NFL betting legalised
By William - 22 October 2019
Pennsylvania’s online and retail sportsbooks nearly doubled the state’s previous record handle in September, as bettors took advantage of their first-ever opportunity to legally bet on the NFL.
The news comes as figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board show that activity during September in the Commonwealth sports wagering industry increased significantly over the previous month of August.
Handle through retail and online sports books totalled $195 million (€175 million) in September, 78.4% above the handle of $109 million (€98 million) in August. September’s gross revenue from slot machines was $188 million (€169 million), a 4% decrease in revenue when compared to the $196 million (€176 million) generated in September 2018. Tax revenue from the play of slots machines in September of this year was $97 million (€87 million).
The average number of slot machines operating on a daily basis was 23,154 during September 2019 compared to 25,471 at the casinos in September 2018. Table games revenue for September 2019 was $71 million (€64 million), a decrease of 2.35% over September of last year when revenue was $72 million (€65 million).
Total tax revenue from table games play during September was $11 million (€10 million) with an average of 1,269 tables in daily operation compared to 1,281 tables in operation last September. Online casino game gross revenue totalled $4 million (€4 million) during September, a 20.6% increase over the August 2019 revenue total of $3 million (€3 million).
Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks generated $195 million (€175 million) in handle in September, according to official data released on Thursday, up 78% from the record $109 million(€98 million) in August. September’s handle yielded $19 million (€17 million) in revenue, up from August’s $10 million (€9 million) win.
By comparison, New Jersey generated a handle of $184 million (€165 million) in September 2018, the first full month Garden State bettors were able to legally wager on NFL games. Pennsylvania’s online sportsbooks — including Fox Bet at Mount Airy Casino, which launched on September 4th, generated $158 million (€142 million) in September, up from $83 million (€75 million) in August. Online betting represented 81% of the state’s total handle, up from 76% in August.
FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino dominated the online market, accepting $85 million (€76 million) in September bets, up from $35 million (€31 million) in August.
